A city-and-river half from the City Hall area, crossing into Gatineau and returning towards the central finish. It has its own route, separate from the marathon's longer Rockcliffe and canal running.
01 Know what you are taking on
What is the race like?
The course, section by section
Open a section for the terrain and a practical pacing cue.
Central openingCity Hall, Wellington, War Museum.
City road opening with turns.
How to approach it Settle at your own half-marathon effort and allow the field to spread. A busy first stretch is a poor place to decide that you need to run faster than training suggests; save your concentration for a controlled rhythm.
Across to GatineauChaudière Bridge, Gatineau.
Bridge and urban roads.
How to approach it Keep climbing effort controlled and avoid an exaggerated downhill stride on the far side. Treat this as one chapter of the half rather than several opportunities to race another runner over a bridge or corner.
Return over Alexandra BridgeMuseum of History, Alexandra Bridge.
River crossing and urban transition.
How to approach it Use the bridge to check posture and breathing. The view can lift your mood without changing your pace plan. If the split moves a little with the gradient or breeze, return smoothly rather than sprinting to correct it.
Sussex and northern landmarksSussex, Rideau Hall, northern loop.
Road loop; not the 10K canal-to-lake route.
How to approach it This is a useful point to ask whether you can sustain a stronger finish. If the answer is not yet, hold effort and keep the race manageable. Do not mistake turning towards the city for permission to use all your remaining energy.
Short canal-side finish approachCentral canal-side finish district.
Road return and controlled finish.
How to approach it Increase pressure in stages if you are still in control. Keep following the half signs and final 2027 directions, then leave the finish flow before meeting supporters. A runner beside you may be completing a different distance or have a different remaining route.
Official maps & course details
The following course details are from the edition shown. They help you understand the route while your edition’s final information is being prepared.
- Linked interactive map
- The event page links RacePoint’s interactive map with routes and elevation profiles; the map itself is titled 2026 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.2026
The linked 2026 route is a planning reference. The 2027 course and race-day arrangements may change.
02 Choose your approach
Find your race strategy.
Choose your goal. These are our pacing suggestions, based on the published course, rather than organiser instructions.
My first finish
Settle into a comfortable half-marathon effort from the City Hall area.
Use bridge approaches as a cue to relax your shoulders and hold effort, rather than forcing the same pace.
Build your own fuel plan; the published course page lists fruit bars at 15.25 km.
Do not confuse the half’s signs and course with the marathon or the shorter Saturday races.
Keep the final push for the distance actually left, then meet supporters outside the finish flow.
A PB or time goal
Set a realistic target from recent training and the actual conditions.
Hold effort over bridge approaches and avoid chasing a momentary pace drop.
Use the kilometre markers to check the trend in your splits.
Practise the fuel you expect to carry or collect, so the station is a routine part of the race.
Increase effort gradually on the approach to the finish if the earlier work has left you in control.
If the weather or your pace changes
Use the actual forecast to judge your target and clothing. A later start than the marathon may mean a different feel on the road, particularly after a long wait in the start area. Wind and bridge approaches can change effort; a fixed pace should not overrule breathing that is becoming too hard too early. In rain, control turns and leave room on descents. Confirm the 2027 drink/product list and use what you have tested, rather than making an unfamiliar nutrition choice because it is available.
03 Know what is on the course
Drinks, fuel & toilets.
Course features published on the 2027 half-marathon page. The linked detailed map may still show an earlier edition.
| Where | What is listed | Plan around it |
|---|---|---|
| Approximately every 3 km | Water and Xact hydration | The organiser lists Cherry Berry or Lightly Lemon. |
| Before the water station at 15.25 km | Xact fruit bars | Practise any product you intend to use. |
| At each water station | Portable toilets | A toilet stop takes time; give yourself room in your personal plan. |
More published facilities and planning notes
- Course nutrition
- Xact nutrition and hydration are included on course.
Toilet locations: a confirmed location list is not available here. Check the official course or runner map before race day; a drinks table does not automatically mean there is a toilet beside it.
Turn the station list into your plan
Mark the stops you expect to use and the fuel you will carry. If you use a gel that needs water, pair it with a published water point. Practise the products and cup or bottle format before race day; you do not have to try every item offered.
04 Before the start
Your race morning.
Times are local to the event. Work back from your own wave, allowing for the walk, toilets and bag drop.
The start
Start
09:00 ET at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West.
Your allocated wave, event emails and final runner instructions take priority. Read the guide for your distance before travelling.
05 Make the day work together
Supporters & getting around.
Plan your support
Choose a permitted cross-river viewing point or a central finish base. Check which bridge crossings stay available to pedestrians before trying to move between Ottawa and Gatineau during the race.
The places below are viewing ideas from the linked route or spectator guide. Use your edition’s access map for barriers, permitted crossings and any crew restrictions.
Central Rideau Canal course section
Choose a public viewing spot on the map for your distance; the 5K, 10K, half and marathon have different routes and start times.
City Hall surroundings
A useful festival and reunion base. Meet outside the controlled finish/recovery area and keep crossing points clear.
2026
Official spectator or route informationMake the cheer easy to find
Agree a named point, the side of the road and your likely arrival window. Share your bib number for official tracking. Pick a separate reunion beyond the finish exit and a backup if the phone signal is poor.
Getting there and getting home
- Rail and bike options
- The published 2026 organiser travel guide identifies uOttawa, Rideau and Parliament stations near the downtown race site, plus bike parking at City Hall. Check 2027 operating hours and road closures before relying on an early train.2026 reference
06 Before you book
Entry, fees & time limits.
The half-marathon page advertises CAD 157.50 plus HST. Confirm current availability for this distance and the final total in the organiser-linked registration form.
Check official entry options- Event capacity
- 12,000 total places.
- Shirt
- The race shirt is an optional paid add-on.
- Personalised bib
- Register before 1 May for your first name on the bib.
- Entry prices
- CAD 157.50 plus HST is advertised on the half-marathon page. Check the available option and final total in the organiser-linked registration form.2027 event page
Stay in the loop
Email me event updates.
Spend more time training and less time checking. Get the key updates for your race, straight to your inbox.
07 Make your training relevant
Practise for this course.
One thing to rehearse
Practise a steady half-marathon effort over a few short rises and turns, with the fuel you expect to use.
08 Put your plan together
Useful before race day.
Plan your pre-run fuel
Explore meals and snacks around the time you have before running.
Explore the fuel plannerMake race fuel feel familiar
Understand how to practise taking carbohydrate during longer runs.
Read the guideUnderstand your everyday fuel
Learn how carbohydrate supports your running and recovery.
Read the guideA plan that fits your life.
Running, strength or both, with feedback and adjustments as your training develops.
Official race information
Use the organiser’s information for current entry terms, the published route and your final runner instructions. Course resources show their edition where it is known. Pacing and training suggestions are The Runner’s Journal’s guidance and should fit your experience, health and conditions.